Bollywood's Khans may clash again this December

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan brought some cheer at the fag end of a dismal year for the film industry -- and they might do so again in 2009.

Both "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" and "Ghajini", released within a fortnight of each other in December, did good business in a year when 90 per cent of the films released didn't make any money.

Analysts say the Khans will clash again at the box-office when 2009 draws to a close.

"The two most awaited films will be Karan Johar's 'My Name is Khan' (starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol) and Rajkumar Hirani's '3 Idiots' (starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor) both of which are scheduled to release in December," said trade analyst Amod Mehra.

While "My Name is Khan" is about a man with Asperger's syndrome (disorder related to autism), "3 Idiots" is based on Chetan Bhagat's bestselling novel 'Five Point Someone'.

There are other big-ticket releases as well this year.

Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood's most bankable stars, has three films lined up, including the kung fu comedy "Chandni Chowk to China" -- a Warner Bros. production and 2009's first major release.

"It is a fact that we look to big stars to make money," said trade analyst Taran Adarsh.